Lower thirds:

00:02 Report by Janelle Dumalaon
00:33 Zohran Mamdani | Democratic nominee for NYC mayor
02:04 Todd Belt | Political scientist, George Washington University

Script:

It may be a local election, but the world’s eyes are on voters in New York City, and on the man who could soon become their next mayor.

A surge in popularity has transformed Zohran Mamdani into the face of a political movement pitting bold, progressive ideas against centrist policies.

That has triggered a debate within his party, on whether Mamdani is the next great hope, and if this is the kind of momentum Democrats can build upon nationally.

From the heart of America’s capital of capitalism, Mamdani focused on everyday concerns for New Yorkers.

00:00:30:09
+++SOT Zohran Mamdani, Democratic Mayoral Candiate (Rally)+++
 “Together New York, we're going to freeze the... (Crowd chants: ‘Rent!’)
 Together in New York, we're going to make buses fast and... (Crowd chants: ‘Free!’)
 Together New York, we're going to deliver universal... (Crowd chants: ‘Healthcare!’)
 We will make our city one where every person who calls it home can live a dignified life.”
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00:00:52:04
His mastery of social media virality means he reached millions of New Yorkers, with many saying his message resonated with them.

00:00:58:23
+++VOTER VOXES+++
He’s for the working class, that’s good enough for me. 
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His plan makes the most sense for this to be a city we can all afford to live in again. Second woman: yeah exactly, he’s most in touch with what New Yorkers are talking about, not just what sounds good or suits him. 
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00:01:15:01
But while some see him as the party’s future, others see a political risk, warning that his ambitious plans could prove costly and hand Republicans easy ammunition.
President Donald Trump himself has taken aim, calling Mamdani a communist and threatening to cut New York’s funding.
00:01:31:20
+++SOT Donald Trump, US President+++
 “The funding for New York and for every place comes through the White House… I wouldn’t be generous to a communist guy that’s going to take the money and throw it out the window.”

​​00:01:41:12
Even as liberal New York may embrace Mamdani’s vision, not everyone is convinced his ideas can win elsewhere.
Even within his own party, support came slowly. It took months to get endorsements from Governor Kathy Hochul and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
But whether his model is widely applicable or not, there is a lesson Democrats might take from Mamdani.

00:02:01:16
+++SOT Todd Belt, George Washington University+++
 “Whether you're a progressive or a centrist, you have to give people something to vote for, something that is going to make the common voter's life better. And that's what you really have to talk about, whether you're doing it through virality or through a traditional political campaign.”
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00:02:16:06
Come November 4, that pitch to improve people’s lives could very well get Mamdani over the finish line.Then the real test would come: governing. Before he finds out how well his policies translate elsewhere, he would first need to learn whether they work for New Yorkers, the people to whom he’s promised so much. 

END

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* FROM CLIP NAME: Reuters RW691326102025RP1
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* FROM CLIP NAME: Reuters RW691326102025RP1

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